President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday gave Security Chiefs a marching order to ensure that they do all that needs to be done to preserve the unity of the country.
The President gave the orders during a meeting he held with Service Chiefs and Heads of Security Agencies for about three hours at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonishakin who spoke to journalists after the meeting said the President directed them to explore different areas that will enhance their operations.
This is coming on heels of a directive by the President during his broadcast ordering the security agencies to be on the alert to handle not just the activities of terrorists and criminal or elements of Boko Haram but issues of ethnic violence fueled by mischief.
“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood. “Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.
Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety” the President said in his broadcast.
Briefing journalists after the meeting with the President, Chief of Defence Staff, “We have been meeting with Mr. President for the last three hours. All we have done is to update him on all security issues around the country, within the country and outside the country where our troops are.
“Of course we have just updated him because he is aware of what’s been happening. He has been receiving regular briefings from the acting president and he has also been going through the print media and electronic media to follow the happenings within the country.
“After the meeting also he has directed on some areas we should look at so as to enhance our operations in the country.
“In his address, he talked about the unity of the nation which is non-negotiable and all the military has been fully instructed to ensure that that directive is carried out to the letter”.
Asked if the President gave any directive concerning allegations of the composition of secret service by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB or their persistent call for secession the Defence Chief said, “The issues of security, every security threat, all security threats were treated one after the other.
“Ranging from terrorism to kidnapping, herdsmen/farmers clash, to the IPOB issue, all were all treated. Comments were made as to what to do as regards those issues.”
“Every security like I said have been treated and we are going to enhance our operations in all the areas we need to do that.
“Like I said, he has given the necessary directives which will be carried out by the military and the security agencies. ”
Olonishakin said the President also directed the service chiefs to ensure that the life and property of the citizens are protected and “we must make sure that we secure the whole nation and also that troops that are outside carry out their jobs effective.”
On the Boko Haram resurgence in the North East despite efforts of the military, he said ” you all know it is an asymmetric warfare. It is not that the Boko Haram have stepped up their game, it is just the issue of suicide bombing that has been the problem.
“And of course we are also working with the security agencies and the intelligence agencies to make sure that we address that menace.”
